A swing bowler who learned to weave outswingers on Gabba greentops, Michael Kasprowicz matured into a subcontinental specialist with reverse swing, heavy cut, and a this-isn't-too-hot-for-another-over attitude. He bravely carried an injury-hit attack beset by Navjot Sidhu and Sachin Tendulkar in 1997-98, popped back in 2001, and returned in 2004 to help Australia conquer their final frontier, India. In between whiles, he took 7 for 36 at The Oval in the 1997 Test where Australia famously crumbled to 104 all out chasing 124; and seven in a match twice in Perth, in maulings of Pakistan five years apart from each other.

To call Kasprowicz a workhorse would be unflattering, though the description fit his stamina and size - he was an Australian Schoolboys rugby forward. Regularly clocked faster than his new-ball counterparts (excluding Brett Lee), Kasprowicz caused headaches for left-handers with his angle and dart-perfect line, much like Paul Reiffel, another underrated third wheel.

After three years mostly spent refining his efficient yet aggressive action with Queensland and Glamorgan, in 2004 Kasprowicz marked his fifth recall with 13 matches, his longest Test run. During that wildly successful year he, Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie were so sharp that Lee ran their refreshments. Only four times in 2004 did he leave an innings without a wicket, collecting 47 victims.

Kasprowicz missed most of 2006-07, back and groin problems limiting him to a season of eight deliveries for his state, and he lost his Cricket Australia deal. Still, he had done enough to retire as the second-highest Sheffield Shield wicket-taker of all time, with 441 dismissals, behind only Clarrie Grimmett, and Queensland's highest.

Kasprowicz waited five months and three Tests for his first wicket, but his greatest miss came during the 2005 Ashes, when his courageous 59-run partnership with Lee at Edgbaston ended three short of victory. Returning from that tour on the outer, he responded with 44 Pura Cup wickets and was recalled for the trip to South Africa, where he and Lee reversed their Birmingham nightmare with a 19-run stand that earned a nail-biting two-wicket victory. It was the final act of an eventful and satisfying Test career.